Location
The Naval Submarine Base New London is located in the southeastern corner of Connecticut in the County of New London. The base is nestled among picturesque historic villages and bustling urban centers in the city of Groton. Scenic coastlines, coupled with vintage cider mills and the largest nightclubs between New York and Boston are just a few of the attractions in the region. The southern New England cost of living is considered to be slightly high, but can be easily offset by purposeful financial managing.
History
New London is the Navy’s first Submarine Base and the “Home of the Submarine Force.”
In 1868, the State of Connecticut gave the Navy 112 acres of land along the Thames River to build a Naval Station. Due to a lack of federal funding, it was not until 1872 that two brick buildings and a “T” shaped pier were constructed and officially declared a Navy Yard. This new yard was primarily used as a coaling station by Atlantic Fleet small craft.
In 1915, the monitor Ozark, a submarine tender, and four submarines arrived in Groton. With the war effort in Europe and the Atlantic in full swing, additional submarines and support craft arrived the following year and the facility was named the Navy’s first Submarine Base. Although physically located in Groton, the base had its main offices and housing in the larger city of New London, so it was christened as Naval Submarine Base New London. Following World War I, the Navy established schools and training facilities at the base. Today, Naval Submarine Base New London proudly claims its motto to be “The First and Finest.”
Mission
The mission of Submarine Base New London is to provide a Base Operations Support infrastructure for the operating forces of the Navy, Naval organizations and tenants; as well as to assess and improve installation management functions, quality of products, and perform other functions and tasks as may be assigned.
Population Served
The base serves an active duty population of about 7,500 personnel accompanied by 12,000 family members. The base also is the host to Naval Reserve Units, an Army detachment and a host of DoD civilian personnel and contractors. In addition, the United States Coast Guard Academy is located across the Thames River on the west bank, in New London.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
If you are unsure of where you should “check in” for your new command, call the Combined Bachelor Quarters Supervisor for directions and guidance as to proper check-in procedures. They can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 860-694-3416 or DSN 312-694-3416. All mail should be forwarded to your gaining command’s address. Your sponsor can make arrangements for holding your mail until your arrival.
Temporary Quarters
Navy Lodge — 860-446-1160, FAX 860-449-9093, is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Each unit can support a family of five and arrangements for two units, side-by-side may be made. Each unit is equipped with a kitchenette, which includes a two-burner stove and all kitchen essentials. First priority is for Navy and Marine Corps personnel with families arriving or departing on Permanent Change of Station orders. If traveling with a pet try to make reservations for lodging as early as possible. Pets are allowed at the Navy Lodge but only a few rooms that are reserved for pets. Some of the hotels and motels do not accept pets.
Relocation Assistance
The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) offers Relocation Assistance with pre-move workshops and seminars, one-on-one relocation counseling, help with ordering a Welcome Aboard Package and much more. Newcomers are encouraged to attend the “Inbound Briefings” presented by the Housing Department once a month and join the FFSC for a Base tour of the facilities and surrounding areas. The FFSC can provide small household items to incoming relocating personnel on PCS orders to assist until the arrival of your Household Goods. PCS orders must be presented to borrow the items. Please call 860-694-3383 or DSN 312-694-3383 in advance for item availability.
Critical Installation Information
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Child and Development Center 694-5965
Child Development Homes 694-5965
Enrollment 694-5965
School Age Care (Hickory Dr) 694-4702
School Age Care (Dewey Ave) 449-9080
SUBASE Youth Center .694-4702
Command Duty Officer 694-3777
Commissary 694-2240
Denta .694-3736/3738
Civil Service 694-5015
Clubs (MWR Personnel) 694-3695
Navy Exchange 694-5405
Fleet and Family Support Center 694-3383